A City In Tennessee Has The Big Cable Companies Terrified http://www.businessinsider.com/chattanooga-tennessee-big-internet-companies-terrified-2014-7/comments
en-usWed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:32:34 -0400Joey Coscohttp://www.businessinsider.com/c/53dbe3966bb3f7a85ef52ecdBruce EFri, 01 Aug 2014 14:59:34 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53dbe3966bb3f7a85ef52ecd
"Too often taxpayers are left with outdated equipment and lousy service, but are locked into those models."
That is EXACTLY what most of us have right now with private enterprises controlling everything. The existing infrastructure is crap and can't handle gig speeds yet all of our hard-earned money is simply lining the pockets of their execs and being passed on to Congress in order for laws to be enacted so they can keep their monopolies instead of upgrading the infrastructure.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53dba19169bedddb50f367f0kermit humphreyFri, 01 Aug 2014 10:17:53 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53dba19169bedddb50f367f0
this is some of the best use of citys money to develop this fast internet that should have been developed a number of years ago.Other cities should follow suithttp://www.businessinsider.com/c/53db893decad043360437f5bAstropigFri, 01 Aug 2014 08:34:05 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53db893decad043360437f5b
"
I would gladly write a check for $1500 today if it meant I could have first-world quality internet service with the added bonus of never having to deal with Comcast again."
Bingo! My daughter has this. It's BETTER than advertised. Comcast were the most arrogant bastards in the world here before this came along. They've learned their manners and are actually answering phones and sending install/repair crews out when customers want them,instead of when they get around to it. The service itself is phenomenal. No issues after 3+ years and she has been able to save money because she can get the shows she wants for a small fraction of what she would pay for cable. That money can be spent in other,more productive areas of the LOCAL economy because it isn't being wasted with Comcast.
We're free! Free! Fuck you Comcast!http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53db02116bb3f7074c7542f5Mike SThu, 31 Jul 2014 22:57:21 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53db02116bb3f7074c7542f5
Ok Tennessee, time to get rid of that idiot blackburn. She's obviously in the pockets of the big companies, a major problem across congress, and you Volunteers know how to take care of problems - get rid of them. Municipalities provide water, electric, sewer, and other amenities all across the nation. No reason why fast internet - which as the article point out will help business - can't be one of them. Obviously blackburn doesn't get it, or is anti-business. In either case deep six that problem.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53daf3fbecad04991a7542f5Doug in VirginiaThu, 31 Jul 2014 21:57:15 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53daf3fbecad04991a7542f5
That's a lot of numbers piled on top of a made-up premise of 3-5% secular growth attributable to this investment only.
What if nobody comes just for that? Speed of downloading movies isn't really number one on most people's moving criteria.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53daf3706da811bc433cbf5dDoug in VirginiaThu, 31 Jul 2014 21:54:56 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53daf3706da811bc433cbf5d
You seem confused. They built the system before 2008, and won't have the debt paid off until 2020. Where does that indicate I didn't "do my homework" in noting the system would take years to repay the initial investment (and the debt isn't all the investment, btw.)
Sheesh.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53daef9feab8ea65691b65e3XsorusThu, 31 Jul 2014 21:38:39 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53daef9feab8ea65691b65e3
Well considering i have the Gig Connection for $69 a month... and I have no Caps, while most of the bigger Telecom companies are putting caps on everyone..Not to mention I don't have my Netflix or any other media program have its internet slowed because Those Big Telecoms want more money from them..I'd say you have far more to worry about who's controlling Media coming into your home then I do.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53daeefd6da8113a2f3cbf5dXsorusThu, 31 Jul 2014 21:35:57 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53daeefd6da8113a2f3cbf5d
<a href="http://www.speedtest.net/result/3313100531.png" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" >http://www.speedtest.net/result/3313100531.png</a>http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53daeea96bb3f76f7d754303XsorusThu, 31 Jul 2014 21:34:33 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53daeea96bb3f76f7d754303
You should really do some homework, They'll be close to paying off the entire thing within 5 years.
<a href="http://timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/18/c1-strong-fiber-optic-signups-will-speed-epb-debt/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" >http://timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/18/c1-strong-fiber-optic-signups-will-speed-epb-debt/</a>
please note that was in 2012, They've now got something along the lines of 75k Subscribershttp://www.businessinsider.com/c/53dac27c6bb3f76c587542f7HellotoyouThu, 31 Jul 2014 18:26:04 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53dac27c6bb3f76c587542f7
Have you ever actually been to San Francisco? How have Google and Apple caused headaches in SF? All they do is have shuttle busses to pick up their employees. It's not their fault their employees want to live there. They provide the busses to attract and keep the talent they need. Are you really saying that a city shouldn't roll out fast municipal fiber networks because your favorite restaurant will get crowded? You seem to be lamenting the cost of housing going up but you're skipping over all the restrictions in San Francisco to building new housing. So who is at fault? Is it the tech companies for providing shuttle service for their employees? Is it the employees who found high paying jobs but still want to live in the city? Is it the city for restricting the housing market? Is it the landlords for charging higher and higher rent? Is it municipal internet because you're afraid it will attract money? Maybe you're just blaming everybody because you're too lazy to educate yourself about the problem.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53dab46ceab8eac30e1b65dedon.vito.pirelliThu, 31 Jul 2014 17:26:04 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53dab46ceab8eac30e1b65de
Funny how the dickhead CEO of Time-Warner cable first said that they don't offer gigabit internet because "people don't want it", yet the people have had to take it into their own hands where communities allow it. Don't want it huh? Instead of all this lobbying and protesting and talking, we should all go into action and build our own networks within our cities. This is an action that can be done vs. posting a comment on the FCC page. Not saying you shouldn't show support, just saying there is something people can actually do.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53dab290eab8eac40a1b65dezakool21Thu, 31 Jul 2014 17:18:08 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53dab290eab8eac40a1b65de
Wrong. In Europe it's very cheap. While living in Paris, I was able to get 100/5 megabit internet (fiber to the base of my building) for 35 Euros per month, and it included TV and telephone. I pay $50 per month for 60/10 Comcast internet here in the US, no phone, no TV, and that price will go up to $70 very soon. But yes, in Canada people get screwed badly for mobile phone and home internet service. It's worse than in the US.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53daaa7569bedd233c4318f7WolfbaitThu, 31 Jul 2014 16:43:33 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53daaa7569bedd233c4318f7
Have you ever heard of Obamacare?http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53daa2c66da811b139e15123franklin.pierce.98434Thu, 31 Jul 2014 16:10:46 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53daa2c66da811b139e15123
If you have a Republican Congressman, or a Republican Senator up for election this Fall, find out their position and record on this issue and vote accordingly in November. These cable and telecom monopolies are publicly predicting consumer rate plans for internet service that will result in a $2,000 to $3000 annual "tax" increase over the next 3 to 5 years. This is not an exaggeration. The National Cable Industry Association has publicly predicted that the average consumer bill for internet service will be $200 to $300 per month in 3 to 5 years. Unbelievable. Total rip-off. It will cost you more than Obamacare. If you are Republican, you are getting royally screwed by your representatives.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da9ad7eab8ea552fc0cc6cinvestor26Thu, 31 Jul 2014 15:36:55 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da9ad7eab8ea552fc0cc6c
Blackburn is a clown. Here's her gerrymandered district:
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee%27s_7th_congressional_district#mediaviewer/File:TN07_109.gif" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee%27s_7th_congressional_district#mediaviewer/File:TN07_109.gif</a>http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da8ef869beddea374318fbTchikaya BrooksThu, 31 Jul 2014 14:46:16 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da8ef869beddea374318fb
i would too. especially for a one time cost. don't know what the monthly bill would be more maintenance. but i am sure it is less than what comcast and other isp's over charge.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da8cc86da8115d50e15123SCforthePofTThu, 31 Jul 2014 14:36:56 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da8cc86da8115d50e15123
YOU UNDERSTAND THIS IS TAXPAYER FUNDED RIGHT? Who the hell can compete with governemnt? Yeah if i got to steal millions from producer I could provide a superior service too... Speed are slow because to GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE ANYWAY! And some are conflating this with net neutrality... WTF!? Yes more regulation, that's what we need! More of what causes EVERY economic problem to begin with... Net neutrality is like saying "I can only buy a 55 mile per hour car, so every one else can only buy 55 mile per hour car" Meanwhile governemnt takes 50% of our income, regulates all genuine competition out of exsistance then claims victory when it provides a superior service...http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da88d6ecad044862074e10Suze3Thu, 31 Jul 2014 14:20:06 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da88d6ecad044862074e10
Chattanooga is doing what is in the best interest of the people who live there. Good for them. Politicians should quit taking kickbacks from companies just so the companies can continue to rip off the public with their insane prices and lousy service. This should be happening all over the country, not just in Chattanooga. These cable companies need to be broken up just like MaBell was many years ago.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da88c26bb3f75b752ed0cbAgent005150Thu, 31 Jul 2014 14:19:46 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da88c26bb3f75b752ed0cb
You got it all backwards on this one. This is clearly a case of the people within a community deciding what is best for the community despite what the "nanny" government wants. The "nanny" government is out there trying to convince us that there is plenty of competition in the ISP industry and that you have "several choices" when it comes to internet service. The "nanny" government is telling you that everything is fine as it is and you only feel like you're getting screwed by your ISP because you don't really understand things.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da87fd6bb3f7b86c2ed0caCapitalistRoaderThu, 31 Jul 2014 14:16:29 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da87fd6bb3f7b86c2ed0ca
Remove instantaneous deaths due to homicides and automobile accidents and the US has the highest life expectancy of any of the large, fully developed countries. It's necessary to do so because the US is 1) a big country so we drive a lot more and 2) so racially diverse compared to the other large developed countries such as Germany or the UK. Europe is a really, really white place with most countries in the low-to-mid-90% range. Similarly, Japan is something like 98% ethnic Japanese. Easy to get along with people when they look, talk, and most likely think just like you. In contrast the US is only 63% non-hispanic white. We truly are a racially diverse country, something that Europeans just pay lip service to. We don't look, talk, or think like each other and as a result there are conflicts. Sometimes those conflicts result in death. We can have the most efficient health insurance and delivery in the universe but it's not going to save the person who immediately died when they wrapped their car around a tree, nor is it going to save someone who just had a bullet through the forehead.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da85956bb3f761612ed0cfAgent005150Thu, 31 Jul 2014 14:06:13 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da85956bb3f761612ed0cf
I would gladly write a check for $1500 today if it meant I could have first-world quality internet service with the added bonus of never having to deal with Comcast again.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da8028eab8ea5e3ac0cc71danecurbowThu, 31 Jul 2014 13:43:04 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da8028eab8ea5e3ac0cc71
Yep, but you have people making asinine comments like the faster public owned internet will fail! Hire tech to setup comm center. Run lines to backbone connection (like Level 3 who will welcome you with open arms) then offer people gigabit speeds for $60/mo with no data caps. Everyone will leave Comcast/Time Warner in an instant for it. The cost is lower because instead of trying to appease stockholders and line their pockets you cover the actual cost and maybe take in some profit to expand to the rest of the city/state over time. Instead of letting your network fall apart and increasing the price because people don't have a choice. But whatever, fuck people, corporations are more important!http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da7f63eab8ead73cc0cc70TherealityThu, 31 Jul 2014 13:39:47 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da7f63eab8ead73cc0cc70
Internet in most Europeans countries fractions for much faster speeds then in the US. Also the same for Cell Service, in Austria, 10 Euro a month can get you 1,000 minutes, 1,000 text, and 1GB of data... about a fifth of the cost of the US.... if you don't think you are being screwed over in the States for cell phone and internet access, then you have a serious issue.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da79f96bb3f7953a2ed0c8Tina 12771Thu, 31 Jul 2014 13:16:41 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da79f96bb3f7953a2ed0c8
I wish I could get even half the speed I pay $75 a month for which is 30 mbs down and 5 up and I test at roughly 12 down and 3 up besides being bumped off up to 10 times every day and they just keep giving me excuses but thats Time Warner here in NY state for ya.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da78e069bedd81634318f6rtunThu, 31 Jul 2014 13:12:00 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da78e069bedd81634318f6
Unfortunately we're not doing too well on mental health judging by your postshttp://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da6f90ecad04e272074e18Tchikaya BrooksThu, 31 Jul 2014 12:32:16 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da6f90ecad04e272074e18
could that $1500 per household be spread over years? for example, i moved into a new house and have to pay $700 a year for the next 25 years for the work done to bring sewage to my home.
i don't know what the maintenance cost would be though.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da6c0269bedd5d2b4318f6RossWThu, 31 Jul 2014 12:17:06 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da6c0269bedd5d2b4318f6
Tchikaya, per above discussions, at a rollout cost of roughly $1500 per household, before you figure in yearly maintenance costs, that is going to be one big bill. Are you ready to pay that much? The residents of Chattanooga had this white elephant roll out financed by other taxpayers. That can't happen everywhere. The low ball estimate is $140 Billion dollars, and I'd say that is probably off by a factor of two.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da66116da811010ee15123ErikHThu, 31 Jul 2014 11:51:45 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da66116da811010ee15123
What on earth are you talking about. My brother's paid 200-250SEK/month (roughly $30) for 1Gbit in Skövde, Sweden since 2006. That is NOT very expensive, nor is it the cheapest price in Europe by far.
American ISPs are absolutely terrible, and the only thing they care about is killing their competition so they can pull profits without worrying about the quality of their service. I can't wait for Internet access to be a utility in much the same way as gas and water.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da5a746da811fb53e15123Brandon MaxwellThu, 31 Jul 2014 11:02:12 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da5a746da811fb53e15123
Rep. José E. Serrano (D-New York) said in an email statement to Business Insider. He voted against the amendment in the House. "The FCC is poised to help these localities by overruling harmful state policies that prevent innovation and competition."
ITS YOUR LEGISLATION THATS CAUSING THE PREVENTION OF INNOVATION AND COMPETITION! FUCKHEAD!http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da5814ecad040919074e12jerryjonessucksThu, 31 Jul 2014 10:52:04 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da5814ecad040919074e12
I just got 50 megs down and 10 megs up on U-Verse, that is more than I am paying for, so does not suck everywhere.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da52b46da811ac33e15123Mike ShawThu, 31 Jul 2014 10:29:08 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da52b46da811ac33e15123
Cable companies like Comcast originally pushed for the law in 2005 because they felt it was "unfair to let tax-supported entities compete with tax-paying businesses," the Post said.
You mean like the USPS and FedEx & UPS or public schools vs. parochial schools?http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da517ceab8ea207dc0cc73fognog2isthedumbestpersonaliveThu, 31 Jul 2014 10:23:56 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da517ceab8ea207dc0cc73
no fognog,YOU are an idiot. We have garbage internet because ISPs have been holding us back and only the dumbest person alive would blame rural areas for that. Who cares about rural areas when even in metropolitan areas, ISPs cap you at 15-20 megs? In countries like Japan and Korea, 60 megs was the average 10 years ago, they are likely hitting close to gigabit country-wide now. Also we have some of the worst healthcare in the world. It is downright stupid that Americans are forced to pay for healthcare out of their pocket or through private insurers when NO other 1st world country does.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da4f9f6da811eb21e15123WadeThu, 31 Jul 2014 10:15:59 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da4f9f6da811eb21e15123
New businesses = new people = new infrastructure = new jobs. It puts Chattanooga on a path for growth; not sure if there's anything wrong with that.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da47b16bb3f7a6712ed0c8Ninja250Thu, 31 Jul 2014 09:42:09 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da47b16bb3f7a6712ed0c8
Good job Chattanooga! However, I disagree with the observation that "local government-backed fiber networks are often failures that put tax dollars at risk". I believe a more accurate statement would read "government failures put tax dollars at risk", particularly when politicians form alliances with private industry. The only time to "partner with a third party" is when that third party is a regulated, not for profit, corporation set up by a consortium of local governments.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da453cecad04234b074e11Sterling ArcherThu, 31 Jul 2014 09:31:40 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da453cecad04234b074e11
Oh look, there goes Marsha Blackburn doing something stupid again.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da3f2f6bb3f74c562ed0c6Guest1831Thu, 31 Jul 2014 09:05:51 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da3f2f6bb3f74c562ed0c6
Be careful what you ask for. IF (and that's a big if) this 1gigabyte really attracts droves of new businesses, how many other infrastructure projects will be required? Your numbers may or may not work out. Ask SF residents if Google and Apple are paying enough in taxes for the headaches they're causing. And your favorite restaurant - good luck walking right in and sitting down. Young people - want to buy that starter house? Better hope Mom and Dad and help with the down - you just got priced out of the market. The Law of Unintended Consequences.
As far as the legality of munis building out their own services; if the incumbents cancel plans as was the case in this city, then it should be legal. Residents should never be held hostage.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da3ec369bedd005a4318f7ColtonThu, 31 Jul 2014 09:04:03 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da3ec369bedd005a4318f7
Just did an internet speed test: 7.67 download, 1.49 upload. I am all for faster internet speeds. I'm with U-Verse by the way.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da3cc6ecad04f52c074e12Tchikaya BrooksThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:55:34 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da3cc6ecad04f52c074e12
the people who consume the service. same as gas, electricity, or water.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da3bbf6bb3f7dd492ed0c7RossWThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:51:11 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da3bbf6bb3f7dd492ed0c7
Not confused. Opportunistic. They competed to see which community would get the big Federal government grant to roll out such a network. They won, and made out like a bandit. A recent study low balled rolling out FiOS across the nation at $140 Billion. That is more money than even Apple has sitting around. Private enterprise can and will get there but it is going to take a decade or so.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da3ad8eab8ea0621c0cc72Andy71Thu, 31 Jul 2014 08:47:20 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da3ad8eab8ea0621c0cc72
HEY ! A government actually doing something for the people which doesn't mean taking care of them but Just helping them afford something ! That's a great idea but doubt if it will catch on !http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da3a996bb3f7a6462ed0c6RossWThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:46:17 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da3a996bb3f7a6462ed0c6
And who do you expect to pay for it?http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da39236da811ae32e15123dhThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:40:03 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da39236da811ae32e15123
If we have the best healthcare in the world why do we rank 38th on the WHO's list of healthcare outcomes while ranking first in expense? Rankings aren't everything, obviously, and I'm happy to debate that we're 25th instead of 28th, but based upon the criteria set up by the WHO there's no way we're mis-ranked to the tune of 37 spots. Currently we're behind such progressive and advanced countries as Malta, Oman, Greece, Columbia, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization_ranking_of_health_systems_in_2000" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization_ranking_of_health_systems_in_2000</a>http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da39236da811db32e15123Your momThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:40:03 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da39236da811db32e15123
Actually, this means that there are obviously lots of folks in Tennessee who can manage to think beyond red vs bluehttp://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da38656bb3f7c5392ed0c7NYC BirdyThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:36:53 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da38656bb3f7c5392ed0c7
Corporation making donation to politician, should be ban. Politician who gets to be elected should listen to the people and not to the pocket of the corporation. Why is it allowed in this country?http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da384d69beddf0404318f8RossWThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:36:29 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da384d69beddf0404318f8
It is very fast. Most people in the nation are lucky to get 25 Megabits per second download speeds (and the majority pay for and get far less, usually around 3 to 6 Mbps). This is adequate for Netflix streaming and other tasks at the same time, but a Gigabit per second would be 40X faster.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da37d6ecad048012074e13FlyingInto TheSunsetThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:34:30 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da37d6ecad048012074e13
Great...kill all these fkg cable companieshttp://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da37bbecad04d10d074e14dhThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:34:03 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da37bbecad04d10d074e14
Your analysis ignores the potential tax base growth that high speed internet may provide by attracting new employers and employees. This is of course, temporary, but real. If the average income is $40k (which lags the rest of the state of TN, btw), and about 63% of the 528k people are employed, we're talking about a tax base of about $13.3B for the people only (no companies). If we were to assume that high speed internet draws an incremental 3-5% of employees to the area, we get an increase in the tax base of $399M to $665M. Chattanooga does not have a city income tax, however, they do have real estate taxes and sales tax (7%). Assuming a 72% take home pay (based on the aforementioned 5% increase in tax base. And assuming a 4% savings rate (national average) with the rest of income being spent, and assuming that of the remaining, about 50% is spent on taxable items, the city of Chattanooga would generate an incremental $16.1M in tax revenue per year *from sales tax alone*. Based on the increase in sales tax collection, the payback would be roughly 20 years *before* you add in the monthly payment of citizens for the service. Again, leaving out a LOT of other sources of tax income for the city (business taxes/fees, real estate taxes from home sales, etc.) in this rough ballpark exercise, but it is still very easy to see how this makes sense.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da37acecad04990e074e16Duh2.lreThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:33:48 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da37acecad04990e074e16
Last thing I want is some "nanny" in government controlling the media coming into my home.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da3746eab8ea2615c0cc6eYour friends at Comcast CableThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:32:06 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da3746eab8ea2615c0cc6e
Ha! You think we're terrified?
The only entities more broke than you poor bastards who subscribe to our service are most of the dumb bastards in government who waste your money more than we do. These morons can't even make the United States Postal Service solvent; why do you think they could handle a project like this? We're totally scared that 500,000 morons in a sea of 300M+ are off the grid. NOT!http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da36c169bedde6404318f6RossWThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:29:53 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da36c169bedde6404318f6
Chattanooga did this with a government grant, meaning OTHER taxpayers helped pay for this network. They made out like a bandit. Now, they did get other financing, but the fact remains that this is an expensive system, paid for mostly by others. A recent study low balled the cost to roll out fiber optic cable offering "Google Fiber" speeds at $140 Billion dollars. This is more money than even Apple has sitting around. Private corporations can and will make this investment, but it will take time. It isn't going to happen overnight. Some of this could have been included in the wasteful government stimulus spending instead of bailing out Wall Street and giving them bonuses or bailing out GM, after they were beat in the marketplace by their competitors, fair and square. The cautionary tale from the article is, "that local government-backed fiber networks are often failures that put tax dollars at risk...". Too many local governments think they should play cable TV provider or run a railroad and play "choo-choo" with the taxpayers dollars, without the necessary expertise to run such entities. Far better to let private enterprise do it. Too often taxpayers are left with outdated equipment and lousy service, but are locked into those models.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da36aeecad045918074e10NYC BirdyThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:29:34 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da36aeecad045918074e10
US does not have the fast internet nor the best healthcare in the world.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da351d6da811a71ce15127Joe StrummerThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:22:53 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da351d6da811a71ce15127
Well, if the private networks were doing a decent job and were in a competitive environment the municipalities wouldn't have to be doing it themselves! I mean, c'mon, the US is like 27th in the world, right behind Bulgaria! Yeah, even Bulgaria has faster internet service than the US. If we don't catch up to places like Japan and Korea, who have several times the internet speed we have at half the cost, we're gong to become a third world country! I mean it's becoming pathetic!http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da349feab8eac30ac0cc6cRabbeThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:20:47 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da349feab8eac30ac0cc6c
Yea that 37th best healthcare ranking has been debunked so many times only fools repeat ithttp://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da31c0ecad04747a074e17confirmednutzThu, 31 Jul 2014 08:08:32 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da31c0ecad04747a074e17
I think you need to get your facts straight, while Chattanooga resides in a firmly Red County, the city itself leans pretty much left like Nashville and Memphis. Plus Blackburn represents Williamson County for the most part which is just slight Southwest of Nashville and consist of a lot of small rural communities.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da2e956bb3f75e102ed0c6breezyThu, 31 Jul 2014 07:55:01 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da2e956bb3f75e102ed0c6
Google it, dweeb. Can you not think for yourself?http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da2e2a6da811a77de15123breezyThu, 31 Jul 2014 07:53:14 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da2e2a6da811a77de15123
The "pro business" party is all about making money for big business, thus giving them monopolies and a place to hide from improving their services. Making money is not about investing in infrastructure .. it's about keeping them from having to invest in infrastructure thru lack of competition and lack of innovation. Just keep reaping in those $100 a month cable fees. Hell, even with declining subscribers they are making enough of a profit to not care.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da2cd76da8115b74e15125breezyThu, 31 Jul 2014 07:47:35 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da2cd76da8115b74e15125
So I take it you live in the area .. how long did it take to roll out? Also are there any other uses for the public network such as security, etc?http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da29196bb3f7ce7e2ed0c6Johnny J YouhooThu, 31 Jul 2014 07:31:37 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da29196bb3f7ce7e2ed0c6
C SPIRE FIBERhttp://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da1ae069bedd884a4318f8taxed enoughThu, 31 Jul 2014 06:30:56 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da1ae069bedd884a4318f8
Yea - we should tax more so the welfare crowd can continue their free ride.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da1a116bb3f717482ed0c8taxed enoughThu, 31 Jul 2014 06:27:29 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da1a116bb3f717482ed0c8
If an article is going to say how fast this system is - "a whopping gigabit per second" - it should give us laymen an average number to compare that to.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da15ceecad041f0a074e18bob hattThu, 31 Jul 2014 06:09:18 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da15ceecad041f0a074e18
Exactly.. Where is that Constitutional Amendment that states Congress shall pass no laws from with it or its members are exempt? Oh yeah, it's stuck in Congressional committees.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da15b0ecad044214074e10fognog2Thu, 31 Jul 2014 06:08:48 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da15b0ecad044214074e10
you are an idiot. we have the best internet in the world. the united states is one of the largest countries on the planet. when you have so many rural areas it brings down the average speed. btw we also have the best healthcare in the world you commie.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da155b69bedd57234318f8AbacusThu, 31 Jul 2014 06:07:23 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da155b69bedd57234318f8
Does the city's network snoop on and monetize user's private data like Google does? If not, sign up my city next.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da14acecad042c7b074e14Doug in VirginiaThu, 31 Jul 2014 06:04:28 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da14acecad042c7b074e14
Government funding of the initial architecture and prototyping was a rounding error in terms of the cost of the nationwide buildout. Everything you use today is running on private infrastructure. Most of the challenges of running networks in the US are because the country is ten or one hundred times bigger than the places you are comparing it to.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da147169beddfb2e4318f6bob hattThu, 31 Jul 2014 06:03:29 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da147169beddfb2e4318f6
Time to vote out the corporate stooges like Blackburn. Those a-holes are suppose to represent the people, not Comcast, Verizon, Time-Warner, and other business interests. If We The People do not stop this corporate-political corruption now, they will be censoring information such as "Blackburn herself has received five-figure donations from AT&T, Verizon, and the National Cable, and Telecommunications Association, reports opensecrets.org" by killing net neutrality so politicians can continue to line their pockets with lobbyist money.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da140deab8eade0ec0cc6cDoug in VirginiaThu, 31 Jul 2014 06:01:49 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53da140deab8eade0ec0cc6c
So a $330M network for half a million people is $600 per person, something like that. $1500 / household, assuming 100% market penetration.
At $50/month, or whatever, it would take years just to recover the cost of the initial buildouthttp://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9fd1c6bb3f73f492ed0ccit6Thu, 31 Jul 2014 04:23:56 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9fd1c6bb3f73f492ed0cc
Follow the money..connect the dots..Mithcell gets most of her funding from big telecom companies to stop chatanoogans from accessing high speed but stay with bi telecoms lousy services..Thats the scandalhttp://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9e2ab6da811fd0e89cde7jamesxxxxxxxThu, 31 Jul 2014 02:31:07 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9e2ab6da811fd0e89cde7
This is false.
In Canada and Europe internet is very expensive.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9d1786bb3f71a1d7ff718Dan C.Thu, 31 Jul 2014 01:17:44 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9d1786bb3f71a1d7ff718
I think that the distinction may lie in that while taxpaying corporations should not have to be in direct competition with the governments that levy the taxes, we are talking about what could be considered a utility and not a product, per se. There is a long history of Governments owning and operating utilities in direct competition with private concerns. Sadly, no competition means higher prices for all. Of course, the companies enjoy doing business in that environment.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9cbbaecad047a56910539radicaltekThu, 31 Jul 2014 00:53:14 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9cbbaecad047a56910539
Exactly Kellydorsey8, and may I add: how many stories about Republicans supporting the big companies and ignoring the little man(us, the people) do we need to read, to finally understand what the GOP is all about. Since they like to support big companies by "cutting taxes and reducing spending", they should accept a referendum which would remove all broadband services and Roll Royce Healthcare coverage to members of Congress and replace them with dial-up services and s h i t t y HMO's !http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9c49469beddd556386742wemmieThu, 31 Jul 2014 00:22:44 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9c49469beddd556386742
Why is it that the "pro-business" party doesn't get it that we need high speed internet access to remain competitive? I'm so sick of Big Business providing crappy service at ridiculously high costs. Internet, health care, banking. There is always some rip off artist like Comcast, Bank of America or Blue Cross trying to get my last dime in order to pay off a senator to continue the downward spiral.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9bf65ecad044f2e910530sage111Thu, 31 Jul 2014 00:00:37 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9bf65ecad044f2e910530
Who (names of companies) is providing the technology for EPB? Anyone know? Was it in the article?http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9a8036da811487089cde6barbacoaWed, 30 Jul 2014 22:20:51 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9a8036da811487089cde6
It's funny, but Chattanooga is in a Republican district, but wants their socialist internet. Tennessee is solidly red, but solidly supports the TVA, which is a huge socially owned (socialist corporation). Congressperson Blackburn is a small government conservative looking to keep taxes low, but expand government meddling in an area outside her district in order to keep their cable bills high.
There are obviously lots of confused folks in Tennessee!http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9a4256bb3f7637b7ff718kellydorsey8Wed, 30 Jul 2014 22:04:21 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9a4256bb3f7637b7ff718
The US government/taxpayer funded/developed the internet protocol(TCP/IP) and backbone, yet US telcom corporations and a hack cable lobbyist running the FCC/wrecking net neutrality have provided American the 43rd worst/slowest national internet transmission speeds on earth.
Sort of like the corporate US health insurance 'healthcare', 37th in the world - with years shorter life expectancy - at twice the patient cost.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d99f5becad040028910531Nom de plumeWed, 30 Jul 2014 21:43:55 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d99f5becad040028910531
I just tested my speed.... With 91.74 Mbps on download and over 95 upload I'm not too concerned about what's "fair" to Comcast. Their service was lousy long before EPB came along. They deserve what they get.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9988a69bedd1722386742Tchikaya BrooksWed, 30 Jul 2014 21:14:50 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9988a69bedd1722386742
please hurry up and get this done nationwide!!http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d99622eab8ead01d6de8caBertisWed, 30 Jul 2014 21:04:34 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d99622eab8ead01d6de8ca
Let's see Chattanooga Metropolitan population: 528,143. Not exactly a "small town" in my book.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9955ceab8ea2f146de8cbsocialized internetWed, 30 Jul 2014 21:01:16 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/53d9955ceab8ea2f146de8cb
U.S. consumers pay twice as much as anyone in the world for broadband. Perhaps some municipal socialism can offer some completion, increasing service and lowering prices. I am sure the municipal utility is not paying it's chief 30 million a year and the shareholders are the users.